When a man decides to please a woman with a gift, the chances of being successful is high when he buys her jewelry. Flowers are nice but many women are picky with flowers. On the other hand, jewelry, especially if it is in a set, will certainly be appreciated. This is because earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, according to a mysterious feminine logic, are considered necessities, along with makeup and shoes. But fake or cheap jewelry will not impress the sophisticated female. To avoid being taken in by phony jewelers, here are some tips to remember when buying the most sought after types of jewelry: gold and diamond.
Gold
When buying gold, the first thing to learn about is the word karat. The karat is the unit used to represent the proportion of gold in the piece of jewelry. Pure gold is set at 24 karats but there is no 24-karat gold jewelry because pure gold is too pliable to be fashioned into any form of jewelry. The popularly sold gold jewelry are 18-k (75% gold), 16-k (66.67% gold), 14-k (about 58% gold), and 12-k (50% gold). The smallest karat value for a piece of jewelry to be considered gold is 10-k (42% gold). If a piece of jewelry has less than 10-k, it cannot be considered as gold. Professional jewelers call these low-karat gold pieces as gold-plated or gold-overlay.
Diamond
When buying diamond, there are four aspects that must be considered. These are the cut, the color, the carat, and the clarity of the diamond. Of these four aspects, the most important is the cut of the diamond. Diamonds can be hand-cut or machine-cut but it does not really matter whether the diamond cutter is man or machine as long as the diamond is cut to achieve the greatest symmetry and brilliance. A diamond cut does not refer to the size or shape of the diamond. It refers to depth and width, symmetry, and polish. If the depth and width of the diamond were precisely and ideally cut, they direct light to travel deep into the bottom part and then bring back that light to shine brightly on the surface. The facets of the diamonds should be balanced and this is called symmetry. And finally, the cuts should be made through specific lines to avoid chipping off the surface.
There is also the issue of diamonds being mined in Africa to finance and support the various conflicts in this continent. Such diamonds came to be known as blood diamonds. Blood diamonds may not be suitable for a jewelry which is intended to express love. Fortunately, the reputable companies involved in the diamond industry have established a tracking system for diamonds to reveal the area where they were mined and the store where they were sold. To ensure that the diamond jewelry is in no way related to any African conflict, there must be a written guarantee that will accompany the invoice of the jewelry.
And finally, whenever buying jewelry such as gold, diamond, or any other gemstone, it is best to deal with jewelers of good reputation. They would be upfront and honest about the jewelry that they are selling. It is also a prudent idea to avoid huge discounts. Jewelry is unlike clothing or appliances. The value of jewelry does not depreciate and therefore, the original price found on the sale tag is not the actual value of the jewelry.
When a jewelry collector goes on their hunt to find jewelry, they want to make sure that the jewelry that they purchase and bring home to their collection case is authentic. When doing a search for such pieces of jewelry for Native American turquoise jewelry, you will find first the many tribes of the Southwestern region of the United States of America. The Tumbleweed Two Step shop gets their jewelry from the reservations of the Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, and Santa Domingo tribes of the Southwestern region. The turquoise that is placed in the earrings, necklaces, bracelets, chokers, and other forms of jewelry are placed there from the Native American people and is deemed authentic in nature.
The Sterling Silver that is used with the blue turquoise truly shows off the blue shade of the turquoise. Of course some of the turquoise is in fact green. However, blue is a primarily used form of turquoise because of the way the silver makes it shine out much brighter than normal. There are also many designs that are used with the turquoise as it is used as an inset for crosses, rosary, belts, handbags, and so much more. The prices for Native American Turquoise jewelry can be found to be considerably affordable to the general public as there are many tourists through the way to the Grand Canyon and many other great sites to see along the southwestern region.
Turquoise has been used and traded since pre-historic times and the story is told that turquoise has stolen its bright blue color from the blue sky above. Each and very gem has its very own appeal and is special in its very own way. Throughout the years, people have loved the precious gem and it shows no wear in its appeal to the human eye now, then, or any time in the future. Each Native American or other artist that uses the gem does so in a very creative and unique way.
Therefore, with every gem being different and every human being different, when a person buys a piece of Native American Turquoise Jewelry, they are truly getting something no one else has. Much of the jewelry is hand crafted and handmade with sterling silver along with the turquoise as well as a hand stamped design to put even more of its uniqueness into the proverbial picture. When looking for a piece of Native American culture to bring home, look no further than Native American Turquoise jewelry. The unique nature as well as the creativity is absolutely magnificent and is sure to catch anyone’s eye when they see the piece of jewelry you are wearing.
When a diamond is neglected, it can be damaged and eventually ruined. Here are some ways on how to keep your precious jewelry safe and preserve its eternal state. It is important to keep diamonds away from other jewelry because being the hardest gemstone; a diamond can scratch other gemstones. A diamond can also scratch another diamond. If this happens, the clarity of the diamond will be affected. Clarity refers to the inclusions and the external blemishes a diamond has within it. Scratches are external blemishes that can reduce a diamond’s value. So if you want your diamond jewelry to retain its high price value, be sure to keep it in separate boxes.
Diamonds once they are cut and polished can be chipped with a hard blow. Because of this, it is important to be careful with your diamond jewelry. Do not use your diamond ring when you are engaged in sports or other tough activities. Remove your diamond ring or bracelet when doing the dishes or gardening. The mounting of diamond might get loose when you do certain activities around the house that could cause the diamond to fall and be lost forever.
If the diamond jewelry came from a reputable jewelry store, it would always come with literature on how to properly clean it. Usually, the literature that comes with your diamond jewelry purchase will give you instructions on how to clean the diamond and what type of solutions to use in cleaning. Some cleaning compounds which are oil-based such as soaps and other lotions cover diamonds with a thin film layer that makes the diamond somewhat dull and lifeless.
To clean the diamond without affecting its brilliance, it is best to use any of these four methods namely; detergent bath, cold water soak, quick-dip method, and ultrasonic cleaner. If possible, use a cleaning solution that is recommended by the jeweller where you bought your diamond jewelry from since the jeweler will have more experience than you with regards to diamond jewelry cleaning.
The detergent method uses any detergent powder that is dissolved in lukewarm water. Cleaning of the diamond should be made by a soft-bristled toothbrush using the suds of the detergent-water mixture. After removing all the dirt and grime, rinse the diamond under running water then pat dry with a soft, clean, lint-free cotton cloth.
Another method of cleaning diamond jewelry is by mixing household ammonia and cold water and by dipping the diamond gently in the solution. The use of gentle brushes to remove dirt is also recommended.
The last method of cleaning involves an ultrasonic machine that sends out high frequencies to a diamond jewelry soaked in water and mild detergent. The vibrations caused by the high frequencies are responsible for shaking loose the dirt and grime that have made the jewelry dirty in the first place.
Always remember to take care of your diamond jewelry since they are one of your most precious investments. We do want our diamonds to last forever, don’t we?
What’s your sign? If you are wearing zodiac jewelry, nobody will ever need to ask you this question again. Zodiac is a belt of the heavens, which is divided by astrologers into twelve equal divisions featuring individual signs. Consequently, astrology is known as the study of the movement and relative positions of celestial bodies and their supposed influence on human affairs. To put it simply, zodiac jewelry is that which features your sign as determined by astrology and your birthdate.
Aries is the first sign in the zodiac and is the term given to anyone born between March 21st and April 19th. Thought to be assertive and possess great skills of leadership, individuals who carry this sign are also said to hold courage and competitiveness. Zodiac jewelry representing Aries will feature the Ram.
Taurus is the second sign in the zodiac and is the term given to anyone born between April 20th and May 20th. Thought to possess stability, and practicality, individuals who carry this sign are also said to be truehearted. Zodiac jewelry representing Taurus will feature the Bull.
Gemini is the third sign in the zodiac and is the term given to anyone born between May 21st and June 21st. Thought to be great conversationalists and possess clever wit, individuals who carry this sign are also said to have the ability to adapt to different situations. Zodiac jewelry representing Gemini will feature the Twins.
Cancer is the fourth sign in the zodiac and is the term given to anyone born between June 22nd and July 22nd. Thought to be emotional and sensitive, individuals who carry this sign are also said to be creative and caring. Zodiac jewelry representing Cancer will feature the Crab.
Leo is the fifth sign in the zodiac and is the term given to anyone born between July 23rd and August 22nd. Thought to be generous and loving, individuals who carry this sign are also said to be well dignified. Zodiac jewelry representing Leo will feature the Lion.
Virgo is the sixth sign in the zodiac and is the term given to anyone born between August 23rd and September 22nd. Thought to be practical and straightforward, individuals who carry this sign are also said to take great care in their appearance and grooming. Zodiac jewelry representing Virgo will feature the Maiden.
Libra is the seventh sign in the zodiac and is the term given to anyone born between September 23rd and October 22nd. Thought to be intelligent and sociable, individuals who carry this sign are also said to be both fair and insightful. Zodiac jewelry representing Libra will feature the Scales of Balance.
Scorpio is the eighth sign in the zodiac and is the term given to anyone born between October 23rd and November 21st. Thought to be full of energy and a bit mysterious, individuals who carry this sign are also said to possess self-control and a great passion for life. Zodiac jewelry representing Scorpio will feature the Scorpion.
Sagittarius is the ninth sign in the zodiac and is the term given to anyone born between November 22nd and December 21st. Thought to be personable and easy-going, individuals who carry this sign are also said to possess great intelligence and are known to be direct. Zodiac jewelry representing Sagittarius will feature the Archer.
Capricorn is the tenth sign in the zodiac and is the term given to anyone born between December 22nd and January 19th. Thought to be disciplined and reliable, individuals who carry this sign are also said to be careful and practical. Zodiac jewelry representing Capricorn will feature the Goat.
Aquarius is the eleventh sign in the zodiac and is the term given to anyone born between January 20th and February 18th. Thought to be intelligent and not afraid to stand on their own, individuals who carry this sign are also said to be creative and open-minded. Zodiac jewelry representing Aquarius will feature the Water Bearer.
Pisces is the twelfth sign in the zodiac and is the term given to anyone born between February 19th and March 20th. Thought to be cheerful and creative, individuals who carry this sign are also said to be easily influenced and often emotional. Zodiac jewelry representing Pisces will feature the Fish.
What’s with the newest trend in copper jewelry? Copper Jewelry bracelets, copper pendants, absolutely everything made in silver is being made with copper now days. Why, because of the economy. It’s simple yet true. Because of the economy we can’t afford gold jewelry. The price of gold and silver have sky rocketed!
Years ago I wore nothing but gold jewelry. When prices of gold climbed beyond reasonable, I started to love silver. I found jewelry designers weren’t scared of experimenting with exciting designs using silver, it was much more affordable than gold. The designers let their inhibitions run wild and created some of the most beautiful pieces in silver.
Jewelry made with silver became affordable and we grew to love it. Even those who were induced by gold, made some kind of switch to silver. Silver became and remains popular. So where did copper come into play?
Economy plays a big role in where fashion goes. As an example look at how many fashion trendy chain stores went out of business in the past 2 years. Any major store who still survives has reduced their prices making them compatible with stores whose prices have always been reasonable.
One of my favorite stores has reduced its prices in order to compete with others. In a good economy I was willing to pay $75 for a sweater that somehow is now a regular price of $50.00. How did they do that? They reduced their markup. The same goes for jewelry.
The price of silver has more than doubled in the past 24 months. Jewelry designers are losing money. We’ve already reduced our markups, we’ve tried different ways of reducing our overhead, and we’ve tried absolutely everything to reduce our costs. What happens? The price of silver hasn’t come down. Working with silver these days is similar to working with gold years ago. It’s become too expensive and consumers aren’t spending as much as they were. What’s the solution?
Copper. Copper Jewelry bracelets and pendants are beautiful in color, they aren’t expensive and we can continue to be creative with copper as we are or were in silver. In today’s economy people can afford copper. That’s not to say the general public likes copper…..yet.
So do your favorite Artisan Jeweler a favor, buy some copper jewelry and give it a try!